Start practicing

Anatomy & Histology · patient case question

Through which foramen does the involved nerve pass?

Patient case: Facial droop with preserved eye closure

Scenario: A patient whose face DROOPS but who CAN still close the eye.

  1. Jugular foramen
  2. Foramen ovale
  3. Stylomastoid foramen
  4. Foramen rotundum
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Stylomastoid foramen

  • A. The jugular foramen transmits cranial nerves IX, X and XI along with the internal jugular vein.
  • B. The foramen ovale transmits V3, the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.
  • C. Correct. The facial nerve enters the internal acoustic meatus, traverses the facial canal in the petrous temporal bone (giving off the greater petrosal nerve, nerve to stapedius and chorda tympani), and EXITS THE SKULL through the STYLOMASTOID FORAMEN before entering the parotid gland and dividing into its five terminal branches.
  • D. The foramen rotundum transmits V2, the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve.

Note: Facial nerve branch mnemonic after the stylomastoid foramen: Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Marginal mandibular, Cervical — 'To Zanzibar By Motor Car'.

Practice Anatomy & Histology questions Anatomy & Histology study notes

More Anatomy & Histology practice questions